Water control apparatus responsive to leakage or overflow conditions

ABSTRACT

A household or industrial water control apparatus utilized to prevent flood damage by automatically shutting off the main water supply when flood conditions exist. A system of strategically placed collection tubes direct overflow water to the apparatus. The water is received in a vessel which pivots under the weight of the water. As the vessel pivots, an electrical contact is made to activate a solenoid-operated gate valve to close off the main water supply. Various switches at a control box allow an attendant to reset the control apparatus and operate the gate valve.

United States Patent 1 OMera Oct. 23, 1973 WATER CONTROL APPARATUSRESPONSIVE TO LEAKAGE OR OVERFLOW CONDITIONS John I". OMera, PO. Box184, 1157 Garden Ave., Osburn, Idaho Filed: Jan. 21, 1972 Appl. No.:219,619

Inventor:

US. Cl. 137/312, 137/408 Int. Cl. E03c 1/00, F16k 37/00 Field of Search137/312, 313, 314,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1950 Rowell 137/312 X 5/1955Lewis;

ll/l955 Page .v

9/1963 Millman et a1 220/1 C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 431,94111/1911 France 137/408 Primary Examiner-Martin P. Schwadron AssistantExaminer-Richard Gerard AttorneyGreek Wells et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A household or industrial water control apparatus utilizedto prevent flood damage by automatically shutting off the main watersupply when flood conditions exist. A system of strategically placedcollection tubes direct overflow water to the apparatus. The water isreceived in a vessel which pivots under the weight of the water. As thevesselpivots, an electrical contact is made to activate asolenoid-operated gate valve to close off the main water supply. Variousswitches at a control box allow an attendant to reset the controlapparatus and operate the gate valve.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures WATER CONTROL APPARATUS RESPONSIVE TO ILEAKAGE OR OVERFLOW CONDITIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wateroverflow, due to negligence, pipe leakage or a malfunction of controlvalves, can cause extensive damage to buildings and their contents ifnot detected and repaired quickly. This problem often arises in homeswhere unattended automatic washing machines malfunction, allowing waterto overflow and flood the surrounding area.

Prior patents for controlling or sensing fluid overflow describe watercontrol or level warning apparatus utilizing floats to activate variousalarms, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,310,795 and 2,184,605 toDavid and Roberts, or to shut-off equipment as seen in U.S. Pat. No.3,185,789 to Gunther.

Stanley U.S. Pat. No. 2,362,731 shows a float operated device that shutsoffa supply motor to a tank when the liquid level reaches a selectedvolume.

Lee U.S. Pat. No. 1,348,016 discloses a device for controlling a pump toprevent water in the hold of a vessel from rising above a specificheight.

As may be seen upon examination of the above cited art, none comprise aflood control and system adapted to control water overflow in anyspecific area or combination of areas of a building by automaticallyshutting off the main water supply to the building.

The present invention is adapted to receive overflow water from any of acombination of areas in a building structure through a system ofcollection tubes. The tubes may extend from locations adjacent sinks,baths, washing machines, toilets or other areas susceptible to floodingdue to overflow or leakage of water pipes.

, Water collected by the tubes is directed into a vessel which ispivotably supported by a shaft having electrical contacts fixed to oneend thereof. In a normal inoperative position, the vessel extendshorizontally over the axis of the shaft. Counterweights, fixed to thevessel, extend from the other side of the axis to maintain thehorizontal position of the vessel. The weight of water draining from thetubes into the vessel, however, upsets this balance and causes thevessel to pivot downwardly. This movement rotates the shaft, bringingthe contacts into engagement with a pair of electrical connectors. Thiscontact completes a circuit, operating a solenoid to close a gate valvein the main water supply. A second circuit is then completed by themoving con tacts to activate an indicator located on a control panel.The water supply will remain closed until an attendant manuallyactivates solenoids to reset the water control device and reopen themain water supply. Water drained through the collection tubes and thewater control device during overflow is directed to the building'sdrainage system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A water control apparatus is described formonitoring area flooding of water within building structures. Theapparatus includes a drainage means for directing flood water from themonitored area into a pivotable receiving vessel below. The vessel ispivotable between an inoperative, empty position and an operativeposition which is assumed after a predetermined amount of water isreceived in the vessel. The vessel provides electrical contactsoperatively connected thereto for momentarily activating a solenoidoperated gate valve to shut off the main water supply in response to thepivto operate the gate valve solenoid momentarily as the vessel pivotsintermediate the inoperative and operative positions. A signal means isalso activated by the contacts while the vessel is at its operativeposition. The apparatus further includes a discharge means for receivingwater from the vessel while in its operative position.

A reset means is operatively connected to the vessel for pivoting thevessel from the operative position to the inoperative position.

A first object of my invention is to provide a water control apparatusthat will automatically shut off the main water supply and drain floodedareas in a building or structure.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus that is adapted tomonitor flooding conditions in several locations from a single centralunit.

An additional object is to provide such an apparatus that is simple inoperation and thereby relatively maintenance free.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus that is adjustable,allowing individual users to determine what amount of overflow water mayconstitute flood conditions.

These and further objects and advantages will become evident from thefollowing disclosure, taken with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate a preferred form of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an isometric view of thewater control apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the water control apparatus as seenfrom the right in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus showing the operativeposition of the receiving vessel in dotted lines;

FIG. 4 is a back side elevation view of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating positioning of the apparatus andlocation of the collection tubes;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned elevation view of the solenoid activatedgate valve; and v FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic illustrating theoperative electrical circuitry of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1 of thedrawings, the water control apparatus may be seen generally comprising aframework or base 10 supporting an input spout 11 for directing overflowwater into a pivotable vessel 13. Vessel 13 pivots about the axis of ashaft 14 which has means affixed thereto for completing circuits toactivate a solenoid operated gate valve mechanism 41 (FIG. 6) and anindicator lamp 39 (FIG. 5).

Input spout 11 is removably mounted to an upright portion of base 10 bya spring clip 12 which is angularly positioned to locate the spoutdischarge opening directly above vessel 13.

Vessel 13, as seen in FIGS. 1-4 comprises a somewhat rectangular shapedcontainer defined by a bottom wall, two longitudinal sides, an inclinedfront wall, and an upright back wall.

Shaft 14 is rigidly fixed to vessel 13 along the line of intersection ofthe vessel bottom and back walls. Base rotatably journals shaft 14 alonga transverse horizontal axis thereby allowing vessel 13 to pivot aboutthat axis between the inoperative and operative positions illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 in solid and phantom lines respectively.

Vessel 13 is normally held at the horizontal, inoperative position onshaft 14 by the downward bias of a selflocking pair of counterweights 15threadably engaged on an elongated shaft which is affixed to the backend of vessel 13. The counterweights 15 may be adjusted longitudinallyalong the shaft to selectively offset the balance about shaft 14,allowing the user to determine the amount of water necessary to tipvessel 13 to the operative position shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 3 and4. A stop 16 is positioned adjacent the inoperative position of thecounterweight shaft to prevent the vessel 13 from pivoting upwardly.

Similarly, the downward arcuate movement of the vessel is limited as thebottom wall of vessel 13 comes into abutment with a transverse rod 21when vessel 13 reaches the operative position as seen in FIG. 3.

The inclined front wall of vessel 13, when in the operative position,becomes horizontal with respect to base 10 thereby allowing water toflow from the vessel into an adjacent discharge tray 27. The water,however, is not allowed to run freely into the discharge tray. Arestricted opening, formed between a plate 9 fixed transversely acrossvessel 13 and the lip of the vessel front wall sufficiently restrictsthe flow of water to insure that the vessel 13 will move to, and remainin, the operative position because of the shift of balance. Vessel 13will remain in the operative position until an attendant remotelyactivates a solenoid 24 to move vessel 13 back to the inoperativeposition. Water will continue to flow through the vessel 13, ifunattended, to be discharged through a tube 28 in a tray 27.

An arm 17 is fixed to one end of shaft 14 perpendicular to the shaftaxis. A pair of electrical contacts 18 (FIG. 2) are held within aninsulated block at the outermost end of arm 17. Contacts 18 arepositioned to engage two separate pair of contact strips 19, 22 asvessel 13 pivots to the operative position. Strips 19, 22 are mounted toan insulated circular disc and formed in arcs, the center of each beingthe axis of shaft 14. The radii of the arcs are similar to the distancesfrom the shaft axis to the contacts 18.

As contacts 18 engage strips 19, an electrical circuit is completed. Asthe vessel continues to pivot, the circuit is broken and a secondcircuit is completed when contacts 18 move into engagement with strips23 as vessel 13 is stopped at the full operative position.

A crank arm 23 is affixed to the other end of shaft 14, opposite the endmounting arm 17. Crank arm 23 is connected to the plunger of solenoid 24through a tension spring 26. Crank 23 provides a lever arm when vessel13 is in the operative position. Solenoid 24 may be activated to retractits plunger, thereby pivoting vessel 13 back to the inoperative positionthrough its connection with crank arm 23. Spring 26 is utilized todampen the abrupt action of solenoid 24, thereby preventing possibledamage to vessel 13 as the counterweight shaft moves against stop 16.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, the control apparatus operates from a seriesof collection tubes which are separate from the usual drainage system.Tubes 30 are adapted to be mounted flush to floors at low pointsdirectly adjacent appliances or utilities as shown in FIG.

5 where water leakage could occur. Although four collection tubes 30areshown, it should be noted that more could be utilized according toneed. Tubes 30 join with a common central tube which is mounted to spout11 of the control apparatus. Water directed from any of the tubes 30 isdirected through spout 11 to accumulate in vessel 13 until a sufficientamount has collected to upset the balance over the axis of shaft 14 andthereby pivot vessel 13 and the elements affixed thereto to theoperative position. The water then flows from the vessel to dischargetray 27 where it is directed through a discharge tube 28 to the maindrainage system 31. Since vessel 13 remains in the operative position,the flooded area may be completely drained.

During this pivotal movement of vessel 13, momentary contact is madebetween strips 19 and the pivoting contacts 18. A circuit is completedthereby to activate a solenoid 42 of gate valve mechanism 41 (FIG. 6) inthe main water supply pipeline 32 for the area being monitored.

Gate valve mechanism 41 comprises a standard gate valve 48 secured towater supply line 32. Valve 48 is operated by a reciprocating linkagecomprising a crank arm 44 pivotably mounted to a stationary pivot pin45. Crank 44'is slidably connected to the stem of valve 48 at one end,and to the plungers of solenoids 42, 43 at the other end. Solenoid 42,when activated, pivots crank 44 to depress the valve stem, therebyshutting off the water supply. lnversely, when solenoid 43 is activated,the crank 44 is pivoted to lift the valve stem, opening the water supplythrough pipe 32. It may be noted that solenoids 42, 43 need only operatemomentarily since valve 48 will normally remain in either set position.

As the vessel 13 reaches the full operative position, contacts 18 againcomplete a circuit with strips 22 to activate an indicator lamp 39located in a control box 34. Lamp 39 visually indicates that the controlapparatus has been activated and that the main water supply has beenclosed.

The valve 48 remains closed until solenoid 43 is activated to reopengate valve 48. This is accomplished by an attendantwho first operates amomentary contact push button switch 38 to complete a circuit tosolenoid 24 thereby resetting the control apparatus to theinoperativeposition. He may then open valve 48 by operating a second momentarycontact switch 36 which activates solenoid 43 to reopen the main watersupply.

The circuitry involved in the operation of my invention may best be seenin FIG. 7. Electrical power may be obtained either directly throughconnection to a household power supply or through other availableemergency power sources.

A normally closed master switch 35 in a lead line 50 is utilized to cutoff all power to the control apparatus for servicing or other purposes.Line 50 momentarily completes a circuit with solenoid line 51 as vessel13, when over-balanced with overflow water, pivots contacts 18 tomomentarily engage strips 19. The circuit thereby completed with lines50 and 51 activates solenoid 42 to shutoff the main water supply. As thecontacts continue to move with the pivoting vessel, the cirucitcomprising lines 50 and 51 is opened and a second circuit is closed ascontacts 18 engage strips 22. This circuit includes line 50 and a line52 leading to indicator lamp 39. This circuit will remain closed,operating lamp 39 until momentary contact switch 38 is operated toactivate the apparatus reset solenoid 24, bringing the vessel 13 back tothe inoperative position. Gate valve 48 will also remain closed until aswitch 36 in a line 53 is operated to activate solenoid 43 to reopen thevalve. An additional switch 37 is utilized in a line 54 to bypass thecontrol apparatus allowing valve 48 to be closed manually.

It should be noted that switches 38 and 36 should be operated in theabove described sequence. lf switch 36 is operated to first reopen thewater supply, solenoid 42 will again be activated to close valve 48 ascontacts 18 engage strips 19 when pivoting to the inoperative position.

It may be obvious, from the above description that various changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

What 1 claim is:

l. A liquid control apparatus for monitoring area flooding within astructure where the flooding is the result of malfunction occurring in adevice or conduit connected to a liquid supply line, comprising:

an upwardly open vessel located at a position elevationally beneath themonitored area of the structure, said vessel being movably mounted atone end of the vessel about a horizontal pivot axis for motion betweenan inoperative angular position normally maintained by the empty vesseland an operative angular position assumed by the vessel in response tothe reception therein of a predetermined amount of liquid;

drain means leading from the monitored area to the vessel for directingflood water from the monitored area into the vessel at both itsinoperative and operative angular positions;

counterweight means mounted to the vessel in opposition to the weight ofthe vessel and its contents relative to the pivot axis for maintainingthe vessel in its inoperative angular position until the predeterminedamount of liquid is received therein;

said vessel further including an opening at its remaining end allowingliquid to flow from the vessel when in its operative angular position,the elevation of the opening while the vessel is at its inoperativeangular position permitting collection of the predetermined amount ofliquid;

discharge means below the vessel for receiving the flow of liquid fromthe opening of the vessel while the vessel is at its operative angularposition;

a liquid supply line operatively connected to the devices or conduits inthe structure being monitored; valve means in said liquid supply linefor selectively stopping the flow of liquid therethrough;

and means operatively connected to said vessel and to said valve meanscausing said valve means to terminate flow of liquid to the liquidsupply line in response to movement of said vessel to its operativeangular position.

2. The apparatus as set out in claim 1 further comprising:

reset means operatively connected to said vessel for selectively movingsaid vessel about said pivot axis from its operative position to itsnormal inoperative position.

3. The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said last-named meanscomprises control elements operated by the vessel only while the vesselis intermediate its inoperative and operative angular positions aboutsaid pivot axis.

4. The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said last-named meanscomprises control elements operated by the vessel only while the vesselis at its operative angular position about said axis,

electrically-operated signal means;

said control elements comprising electrical contacts wired in a controlcircuit connected to said electrically-operated signal means.

1. A liquid control apparatus for monitoring area flooding within astructure where the flooding is the result of malfunction occurring in adevice or conduit connected to a liquid supply line, comprising: anupwardly open vessel located at a position elevationally beneath themonitored area of the structure, said vessel being movably mounted atone end of the vessel about a horizontal pivot axis for motion betweenan inoperative angular position normally maintained by the empty vesseland an operative angular position assumed by the vessel in response tothe recePtion therein of a predetermined amount of liquid; drain meansleading from the monitored area to the vessel for directing flood waterfrom the monitored area into the vessel at both its inoperative andoperative angular positions; counterweight means mounted to the vesselin opposition to the weight of the vessel and its contents relative tothe pivot axis for maintaining the vessel in its inoperative angularposition until the predetermined amount of liquid is received therein;said vessel further including an opening at its remaining end allowingliquid to flow from the vessel when in its operative angular position,the elevation of the opening while the vessel is at its inoperativeangular position permitting collection of the predetermined amount ofliquid; discharge means below the vessel for receiving the flow ofliquid from the opening of the vessel while the vessel is at itsoperative angular position; a liquid supply line operatively connectedto the devices or conduits in the structure being monitored; valve meansin said liquid supply line for selectively stopping the flow of liquidtherethrough; and means operatively connected to said vessel and to saidvalve means causing said valve means to terminate flow of liquid to theliquid supply line in response to movement of said vessel to itsoperative angular position.
 2. The apparatus as set out in claim 1further comprising: reset means operatively connected to said vessel forselectively moving said vessel about said pivot axis from its operativeposition to its normal inoperative position.
 3. The apparatus as set outin claim 1 wherein said last-named means comprises control elementsoperated by the vessel only while the vessel is intermediate itsinoperative and operative angular positions about said pivot axis. 4.The apparatus as set out in claim 1 wherein said last-named meanscomprises control elements operated by the vessel only while the vesselis at its operative angular position about said axis,electrically-operated signal means; said control elements comprisingelectrical contacts wired in a control circuit connected to saidelectrically-operated signal means.